Turtle in paradise

Originally published; New York : Random House 2010. Author's note includes photographs and information about Key West in the 1930s and some of the real inhabitants that inspired the characters in her novel. In 1935, when her mother gets a job housekeeping for a woman who does not like children, eleven-year-old Turtle is sent to stay with relatives she has never met in far away Key West, Florida.

Reviews and Notes

Summary/Annotation -> In Jennifer L. Holm's New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor winning middle grade historical fiction novel, life isn't like the movies. But then again, 11-year-old Turtle is no Shirley Temple. She's smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it's 1935 and jobs and money and sometimes even dreams are scarce. So when Turtle's mama gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids, Turtle says goodbye without a tear and heads off to Key West, Florida to live with relatives she's never met. Florida's like nothing Turtle's ever seen before though. It's hot and strange, full of rag tag boy cousins, family secrets, scams, and even buried pirate treasure! Before she knows what's happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of the shell she's spent her life building, and as she does, her world opens up in the most unexpected ways. Filled with adventure, humor and heart, Turtle in Paradise is an instant classic both boys and girls with love.

Includes an Author's Note with photographs and further background on the Great Depression, as well as additional resources and websites.

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews : "Sweet, funny and superb."

Starred Review, Booklist : "Just the right mixture of knowingness and hope . . . a hilarious blend of family drama seasoned with a dollop of adventure."

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm, the author of the award winning series Baby Mouse, is the story of a 9 year old girl being raised in New Jersey by a single mom during the 1930's, in the depths of the depression. Economic hardship forces her to return to her extended family in Key West, and she discovers her roots, and the riches that surround her, despite her poverty. She hates Shirley Temple and loves adventure. This is a great book for kids who like strong characters, adventure, humor and good dialogue.